Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Most women I’ve met would’ve rushed off to find a bathroom so they could clean up as soon as they walked in and saw all of us. I like that Andi has been sitting there looking like she just rolled down a hill in the forest and doesn’t seem to care. She’s just absorbed in the conversation, oblivious to anything else.
At the same time, I don’t like that I like several things about the small woman. She’s one of my best friend’s little sisters, for starters. I also had a very clear plan to mope and feel sorry for myself for at least a few more months.
I watch them for a little while, ignoring the annoying temptation to step in and get her away from the guys. I remind myself she’s not mine and she’s never going to be. Even if she wasn’t Jake’s little sister, I know I’m too much of a mess right now for relationships. Letting myself get tempted by her would be pointless. Hell, it would be worse than pointless. It would be painful.
I head out to the back patio and lean on the railing, taking in the swaying trees of the Vermont mountains. Liam joins me a few minutes later.
“Is this a solo brooding session, or is company allowed?” he asks.
“Company’s allowed.”
He takes a spot in one of the adirondack chairs on the deck and kicks his legs up, looking out to his side to take in the trees with me. “I’ve been there, you know. If you want to open up and talk about it, I’m all ears.”
“I don’t,” I say.
“What Sarah did was fucked up, she shouldn’t–”
“I said I don’t want to talk about it.” I pause, take a deep breath, and glance at my friend. “And it doesn’t have anything to do with Jake’s sister, if that’s what you're thinking.”
He smiles his movie star smile. Hollywood. Andi’s silly little nickname rings in my brain when I look at Liam.
“Your words,” he says easily. “Not mine.”
I shake my head and look back at the trees. “She’s not going to want to stick around here, anyway.”
“You sure? Frosty Harbor can be pretty charming around the holidays. Girl just bailed on her wedding. I doubt she’s excited about the idea of going back to her life and dealing with the fallout. A little while hiding out here probably sounds like exactly what the doctor ordered.”
“Maybe,” I say.
Liam gets up and gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Look, man. Telling you shit you don’t want to hear is my job as your teammate and your friend. So here it comes. Sarah broke your heart. But broken hearts are the price we pay on the road to finding love. And if you ask me, I think that’s what we’re all here to do.”
I give him a sidelong look. “I can think of a few other choices. Passion. Hobbies. Travel.” I gesture vaguely around us. “Just enjoying nature, or some shit.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “All great stuff, yeah. But all better with somebody to share it with. Soulmates, Jesse. We’re all just feeling around in the dark while we wait for the right one to come along and click with us. Sometimes we’re not ready to admit it. Sometimes we never succeed. But shit, man. Life is short. I don’t want to see you waste a chance to find the right girl for you.”
“That’s your worldview. I’m pretty sure I can live a happy and full life by myself. I’ve got you guys. I’ve got the game. What else do I need?”
“Carter won’t rub your feet when they’re sore or give you bathtime rubdowns after a long week.”
“Actually,” I say. “I’m pretty sure he would if I asked nicely.”
Liam laughs. “Okay. Bad example. I’m just saying to keep an open mind. And an open heart.” Liam thuds my chest with his fist. “I want to see you happy again.”
“I’ll get there.”
He leaves me on the patio and I find myself looking back inside. I don’t see Andi at the table anymore. I’m about to go in and check on her when she bursts out the doors to the deck, smiling with her hands behind her back. She tilts her chin, looking up at me with her big princess eyes.
“You’re going to freeze out here,” I say, pulling off my jacket and extending it toward her. “At least put this on.”
She hesitates. “Won’t you be cold?”
“I’m fine.”
She takes the jacket, slips it on, and then gives herself a hug and closes her eyes. “Smells good.”
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” She smiles quickly. “I was actually hoping to ask you a huge favor, though.”
“Anything,” I breathe before I realize how fucking pathetic I am.
“Jake’s going to be here tomorrow, and I feel like I’d rather not still be in my wedding dress by then. I’m also not sure I can sleep in this, and I don’t know if you want me getting naked in your bed. Do you think you could take me into town for a little shopping?”